Safir Mk I Tub?

[Rick Muck- Mark IV]

When I first met Peter Thorpe it was at the SAAC meet in Dearborn in 1983. He was there with a guy from Chicago who was to be the US importer. The Chicago guy had a tub and basic kit of parts for completion of the car there on display. I do not remember the guys name although I have seen it since and wonder what became of the tub? I did know the "P" number at one time but that memory has since dissapated. Peter told me the next year when I visited him in Weybridge that the deal had fallen apart and he would not have an importer as such. I did import a car for a friend (P1116) as did several others. I wonder if this tub was every completed or is it still out there?

Rick

 

[M.B]

Could it be this one ?
Only one wich went to Chicago...in the first place.
Bill Jacobs(Chicago, IL)
Displayed at SAAC-11 (Dearborn)
7/86 as a bare chassis.
Never numbered or completed.
Will be assigned chassis number,When completed.

[ February 08, 2003: Message edited by: Marco Bjerkén ]

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

I spoke with Bill Jacobs recently about this car. It does not really have a Safir production number- sort of. It is called
"1093A or B" or something like that. Evidently there was some kind of falling out, but what ended up is that the car, which IS complete (and not running), shares its' serial number with another Safir car. Whether Mr Thorpe approved this or it was just decided arbitrarily by the owner of the car I have no idea. I did speak with Mr Jacobs about buying the car- I chose to do something else. Very likely the car is still out there, and possibly for sale.

 

[Rick Muck- Mark IV]

Marco,,
That is the one. I do remeber the name Jacobs and that Peter told me that the distribution deal did not work out as many things (and I assume money) that were promised did not materialize. I sorta remember that they did refer to a "P" number when they showed the tub but I do remember that no tag was attached at the time.

Would be a great start to build a really good car.

Rick

 

[M.B]

Guy´s !
Sounds interesting...
Is it built to MkV standards ?
Great cars...
Any pics ?

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

As I recall, this was an early SAfir Mark V car. From what the owner said, I thought it would take a few months of work to clean up, paint, and get it going. I believe all the bits are there. For various reasons, I wasn't comfortable dealing with the owner. I also hasten to point out that it is not clear to me that this car has an identity as a GT40 MkV, although in terms of who built it and what parts are in it, all the right pieces are there. Whether it carries a plate that identifies it as such, and documentation of same, is anybody's guess. The owner claims it does. I have no proof either way.

 

[Gregg]

Jim and/or everyone else, does anyone have any contact info for Bill Jacobs? Thanks

 

Hi Rick,
If this is of any interests to you. There was also another guy that was in charge of all MK Vs imports into the US and Canada. His name is Bob Wood. I had spoken to him back in '98 or'99. Off my head, I think he owns P1136. I tried caling him again a year later but the line was no longer in service.
Also, Jim, could you post a picture of your Safir? What number is your car? Give us some stories and info?

Regards,
Victor

 

Gt40MKV, i am curious where abouts you live, and my other question is have you seen or do you know Dave Cohen, sorry if it is misspelled, i know all his friends, where he keeps his car but have yet to find a way in.

 

Hi Eric,
I had spoken to Dave Cohen very briefly only once back in the early 90's. There's no way he'll remember me. We had a gathering of Italian exotic meets at an assocate's house who owns a super rare Alfa GTZ. Dave brought his even rarer Alfa 2.9. There were other cars - a TR and my Lambo. I do have pictures of Dave's wide body GT40 (1024) at a meet. The amazing thing was he drove that thing right through downtown after the show. I was behind him most of the way. You should have seen what that thing looks like trying to blend in with normal traffic. There's no words to describe it. Outrageously awesome?

 

GT40MKV, There is a Alfa GTZ near me here Mass. The owner, George Fogg, talked to me some years back about casting a mould off the body. He had another chassis overseas that he wanted to finish building.The deal never came to be, George was nervous that I would make a body for myself and turn it into a kit car. "Foolish idea!" If I remember right, there was only four chassis built and three completed cars.
I know his son-in-law, I could trace him down if you think it's any help. It's a small world!

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

Bob Wood is still very much in business along with partners, they are the owners now of Safir GT40 Ltd. He is in Cinncinnati, OHio.
I can post photos of the completed body, I will have to find the disc. It remains to be seen what number my car will have. We are not using a Mark V tub; we are using a MArk I tub built in NZ by David Brown, the Safir body is being sent to them to ensure that everything lines up. The tubs are quite a bit different, there are photos in the various books that illustrate this.
I don't know if Bob watches this Forum but I will call him and ask him to log on and say hello if he desires.

 

[M.B]

Thanks for the info, guy´s.. !

Rick, i would be glad to see those pics of the ex Cohen car.
That is, if you feel like sharing...
I am nuts about these....

 

Hi Bill,
During the height of insane car prices in 1990, I remember the GTZ had an asking price of C$750,000.00 or so. There were no takers. I think it was around that time too when a Ferrari GTO went for US$14 Mil and GT40 1075 went for US$10 Mil. Unbelievable! You're probably right about the very few GTZ that was built but the even rarer TZ2 was fewer.
Jim, can't wait to see your car when it's completed. Now, I thought I read somewhere in this forum that the original molds Safir use to build their cars are now own by another company. Bob had bought the molds from Peter Thorp back in the late 90's if I'm not mistaken.
Also, does anyone know if the last MK V (1145) has been completed and sold? It's a wide body Gulf car.

Cheers,
Victor

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

The Safir molds are the ones used to make the body of my car. They were in only fair shape and required some work before use- molds age like any tooling. I believe 1145 was bought by Scott Milestone in my area who at one time owned four of the Safir cars; whether he still has it I don't know. When Safir Ltd was sold all the tooling went with it, among other things.

 

Hello Jim,
Is it possible for you to get some pics of 1145 or other Safir cars own by Scott? That is if he still has it. I hope it's not too much trouble for you. And it's no rush.
Also, I don't mind getting in touch with Bob Wood again if you have his number. Very surprise to hear that he owns the Safir company now.

Regards,
Victor

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

See my posting about Safir et al, for contact info. I don't know Scott well enough to ask to photograph his cars, although if he watches this Forum he may pop up. I think that some of the next chassis numbers may have been given to the Ford prototypes before they decided their new cars would not be called 'GT40's. Marco, you may have more info than I do on this topic.

 

[M.B]

Have not chassis "1146 and 47" been made as well ?
Safir/JWA MkV´s used "original" moulds.
Alltough altered, for lights and the body clips.
Otherwise they are a perfect match to originality. (MkIs)